Method and apparatus for providing power to a marine vessel

• US 7,980,905 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2008
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thrustmaster of Texas
• Original Assignee: C-Mar Holdings, Ltd.
• Inventors: Rembach, Paul F., Castleman, Greg
• Primary Examiner(s): Olson; Lars A
• Application Number:
  US12/313,732
• Publication Number:
  US 20090176417A1
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 440/6, 440/7, 440/3, 440/84, 701/21
• US Class Current: 440/6
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/17 by electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/20 the vessels being powered by combinations of different types of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 2003/043 using shore connectors for electric power supply from shore-borne mains, or other electric energy sources external to the vessel, e.g. for docked, or moored vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 3/02 from propulsion power plant
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 3/04 from power plant other than propulsion power plant
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/50 Measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to the propulsion system
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/5218 Less carbon-intensive fuels, e.g. natural gas, biofuels
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/5236 Renewable or hybrid-electric solutions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A system and a method for providing power to a marine vessel and, more particularly to a tugboat is disclosed. The system includes diesel engines and generators and batteries which can be charged using power supplied by the generators, shore power or regenerated power. The tugboat is operated utilizing battery power only and the generators are used to provide additional power if needed or to recharge the batteries.

Claims

1. A system for balancing power between electrical devices on a vessel using a digital signal processor that enables a particular module to respond instantly and correctly to changing voltages, currents and temperatures on the vessel, the system comprising:

a. a rectifier, for converting AC current to DC current;

b. a generator connected to the rectifier;

c. an AC bus in communication with shore power or a charging system and the rectifier,

d. a DC bus in communication with the rectifier;

e. a battery bank in bi-directional communication with the DC bus;

f. an inverter in communication with the DC bus;

g. a prime mover;

h. a load regenerating device connected to the inverter, wherein the rectifier is configured to provide regenerated power from the prime mover, load regenerating device, or combinations thereof to the battery bank; and

i. a control and monitor system in communication with the battery bank and the generator, wherein the control and monitor system has predefined battery specification stored therein and wherein the control and monitor system is adapted to;

1. monitor the battery bank and to automatically start the generator, prime mover, or combinations thereof;

2. automatically close the DC bus, when one or more batteries in the battery bank falls below a predetermined load, or the charge level of one or more of the batteries is depleted past 60 percent of the charge level thereof;

3. relieve a current draw from the battery bank;

4. provide charging current to the battery bank;

5. control the generator to ensure one or more batteries of the battery bank are not overcharged; and

6. draw power from the generator, shore power, charging source, load regenerating device, prime mover, or combinations thereof, and redirect energy from the generator, the prime mover, the load regenerating device, or combinations thereof to the battery bank.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery bank comprises a voltage sensor for scaled voltage feedback of the monitored batteries when voltage is reduced below preset levels.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the control monitor unit reads full cell voltage, voltage sensor, and local ambient temperature.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the control and monitor system is configured to monitor and control generator excitation level to control a charging rate of the battery bank.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the control and monitor system prevents generator excitation levels from exceeding a maximum excitation level of the DC bus.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the DC bus in communication with the rectifier is a split DC bus.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a resistive dissipation system for dissipating excess power.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the resistive dissipation system comprises a chopper and a grid resistor.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising from 1 inverter to 10 inverters.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the generator and the prime mover are variable speed, and wherein the generator is variable voltage to control charge and discharge rates of the battery bank.

5. The system of 1, wherein the load regenerating device is a winch motor, steering motors, thruster motors, fire pump motors, motor control centers, or combinations thereof.

11. The system of 1, wherein the control and monitor system comprises dual independent profibus that provide separate control of port and starboard communication networks.